APRIL - THINGS TO DO WITH THE KIDS
We do the egg-work to find 12 of the best experiences this Easter
April is choc-full of Easter activities for the kids, with a fluffle of Easter bunnies vying for attention across the UK.
We’ve saved you the egg-work and picked out the 12 best and most unusual experiences, from immersive hotels run by penguins and bears to ship-climbing, wizard workshops, Mad Hatter tea parties and Zog.
Obviously, there are also plenty of chocolate workshops, egg hunts and opportunities to meet that wascally wabbit himself.
Discover Children’s Story Centre - The 100 Story Hotel
Stratford's immersive, sprog-storytelling Mecca is addled with amazing April events.
Highlights include The 100 Story Hotel. Clive the polar bear concierge can take your bags. And fellow guests include lions, tigers, dinosaurs and bears. Some sausage dogs are having a party on the hotel beach. The porters are penguins. And the housekeeping team is headed up by a handy octopus. There’s just one problem – although the hotel is usually full of 100 amazing stories, one story has just gone missing. They need your help to follow the clues and find the culprit. Created with bestselling, multi award-winning author and illustrator Rob Biddulph, this world of play and storytelling has something for everyone aged 0-8.
Cutty Sark Rig Climb Experience
For the first time since arriving in Greenwich in 1954, visitors will be able to climb the famous masts of the Cutty Sark this April. The Rig Climb Experience invites kids and brave parents to step up from the main deck onto the ship’s ratlines and climb up its top mast, as hundreds of sailors did during the Cutty Sark’s heyday. Once at the top, climbers will experience a controlled descent from the rigging. Participants will be rewarded with some of the best views in London, overlooking St Paul’s Cathedral, The Shard and Tower Bridge.
Audley End Easter Special
Hop onto the miniature train - outside Saffron Walden, Essex - and ride deep into the enchanted Audley End woods to visit the Easter bunny in his woodland home.
Along the route through the magical forest, kids can use I Spy sheets to spot bunnies burrowing in the undergrowth, colourful eggs and spring chicks.
The train stops at the Easter bunny’s burrow, where children will meet the full-sized rabbit and his furry friends, who will give each child a special gift.
The next stop is the Easter Trail, where families can wander through pathways to spot springtime animals, nests and eggs. The Easter entertainment continues in the picnic field, where children can explore the adventure play area and visit the Easter story telling session on the stage.
Eggsellent food and drink will be available at the Woodland Cafe all day with seasonal treats.
Easter Chocolate workshops at Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace teams with luxury chocolatiers, Hotel Chocolat to offer children the chance to make and decorate their own eggs in a fun and interactive Easter workshop.
Alongside the workshops, youngsters can meet the Easter Bunny, enjoy fairground rides, watch puppet shows and learn magical circus tricks in the Big Top.
Conk the Clown will also be on parade as well as Punch and Judy shows, mini golf, trampolining and bubble blowing performances. And kids will also get the chance to search the Palace’s Formal Gardens in a traditional egg hunt.
Small is beautiful, Miniature Art Exhibition
This small but mighty exhibition opens in the heart of London this April, showcasing the work of 32 local and international miniature artists. On display will be 130 tiny artworks, creating a small-scale universes full of artistry and poetry – figures playing tennis on a watermelon or skateboarding down a ramp made from coloured pencils. This is a family-friendly event with kids' DIY workshops.
Easter in Wonderland
Jump down the rabbit hole to meet another legendary bunny at Elephant and Castle on 16 April for a free Easter event inspired by Alice in Wonderland.
Castle Square will be transformed into Lewis Carroll’s dream world, with activities, workshops, performances, music and food for all ages. Visit the Rabbit Hole to join the White Rabbit Easter Bunny and Mad Hatter for a tea party.
The Mad Hatter will be giving out ‘Eat me’, ‘Drink me’ and ‘Treat me’ vouchers to exchange with the traders. Activities include fairytale face painting, bunting making and biscuit decorating workshops.
Pop-Up Bunny and Chick Petting Zoo at Hilton London Bankside
For kids in search of the real Easter bunny, Hilton London Bankside will be hosting a Pop-Up Bunny and Chick Petting Zoo on 17 April, Easter Sunday.
Between 9am and 1pm, families can visit the fluffle of rabbits and chicks under the careful eye of two trained handlers from Living Things, a five-star animal welfare company.
The Petting Zoo is free to attend for those staying at the hotel, brunching at Hilton London Bankside’s neighbourhood eatery, OXBO Bankside or dining at its Distillery Bar The Distillery Bankside.
Family workshops at Shakespeare's Globe
Globe Theatre has a host of exciting family workshops this April. They include family sword fighting demonstrations and a Romeo and Juliet workshop. And there is something for all ages.
Zog Quest and Playground at Warwick Castle & Knights Village
Warwick Castle launches Zog and the Quest for the Golden Star: an interactive trail for budding dragons to meet the beloved dragon and learn essential skills, like princess-capturing, based on Julia Donaldson’s bestselling children’s book, Zog. Children can also take over the brand new Zog Playground, flying on a Dragon Wing Zip Wire, climbing up Princess Pearl’s Tower and sliding down Zog’s tail.
Wizard Exploratorium
Soho's magic-themed Wizard Exploratorium is a five-storey, geek wonderland, offering a 4D wand-making workshop, immersive trick shop and suitably magical afternoon tea encompassing tea brewing, molecular gastronomy, and technology.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Trail at Kew Gardens
Eric Carle’s iconic book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar is brought to life at Kew Gardens’ stunning trail, as children are taken on a transformational journey from greedy caterpillar to beautiful butterfly, through sculptures of juicy fruits and a cosy chrysalis. They can also explore the seasonal plants in the gardens, with tulips, bluebells, magnolias, and cherry blossom all bursting to life.
Biscuiteers, Belgravia Easter Sessions
Throughout April, Biscuiteers run Easter DIY icing sessions, giving kids the chance to make their own Easter creations, following a handy tutorial. The Kids Easter Icing Classes run for an hour and come with an Easter egg hunt. There’s also the School of Icing; a workshop, Icing Lates and a Spring Afternoon Tea filled with a host of sweet treats.
Easter at Battersea Power Station, Battersea
For brilliantly diverse and free entertainment this half term, head to the Grade II listed power station, which will be home to a petting zoo with rabbits, chickens, Pygmy goats, lambs and sheep, from The Mini Farm. Children can also take part in its Easter egg hunt around Circus West Village with unusual prizes up for offer. And there will be outdoor gamea and a maze on The Coaling Jetty.
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